Birsay Bay (Orkney Islands) weather
Find a forecast
Here are our top tips to keep you, your friends and family safe at the beach with links to Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Met Office advice.
- Head to a lifeguarded beach; check the RNLI lifeguarded beach tool
- Follow RNLI Float to Live advice if you find yourself struggling in the water
- Know what to do if you get caught in a rip current (RNLI)
- Check the tide times to avoid getting cut off by the tide coming in
- Call 999 and ask for the coastguard in an emergency
- Learn more about staying safe at the beach
Forecast days
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Today. Maximum daytime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 5 degrees Celsius. Heavy showers changing to partly cloudy by nighttime. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Low; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.Today. Maximum daytime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 5 degrees Celsius. Heavy showers changing to partly cloudy by nighttime. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Low; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.
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Friday 19 April. Maximum daytime temperature: 6 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 4 degrees Celsius. Sunny intervals changing to cloudy by lunchtime. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.Friday 19 April. Maximum daytime temperature: 6 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 4 degrees Celsius. Sunny intervals changing to cloudy by lunchtime. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.
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Saturday 20 April. Maximum daytime temperature: 8 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 7 degrees Celsius. Cloudy changing to light rain in the afternoon. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Low; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.Saturday 20 April. Maximum daytime temperature: 8 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 7 degrees Celsius. Cloudy changing to light rain in the afternoon. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Low; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.
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Sunday 21 April. Maximum daytime temperature: 10 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 8 degrees Celsius. Overcast. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.Sunday 21 April. Maximum daytime temperature: 10 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 8 degrees Celsius. Overcast. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.
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Monday 22 April. Maximum daytime temperature: 10 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 7 degrees Celsius. Overcast. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.Monday 22 April. Maximum daytime temperature: 10 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 7 degrees Celsius. Overcast. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate; Pollution: Low; Pollen: Low.
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Tuesday 23 April. Maximum daytime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 7 degrees Celsius. Cloudy changing to sunny intervals in the afternoon. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate;Tuesday 23 April. Maximum daytime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 7 degrees Celsius. Cloudy changing to sunny intervals in the afternoon. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate;
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Wednesday 24 April. Maximum daytime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 7 degrees Celsius. Cloudy. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate;Wednesday 24 April. Maximum daytime temperature: 9 degrees Celsius; Minimum nighttime temperature: 7 degrees Celsius. Cloudy. Sunrise: ; Sunset: . UV: Moderate;
Seven day forecast for Birsay Bay
| Time | 19:00 | 20:00 | 21:00 | 22:00 | 23:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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70% | 10% | 10% | <5% | <5% |
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7°
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7°
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7°
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7°
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6°
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3° | 3° | 2° | 2° | 1° |
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NW
21
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NW
22
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NW
24
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NW
26
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NNW
27
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26 | 27 | 30 | 32 | 33 |
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2.6 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.7 |
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10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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VG | E | E | E | E |
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Humidity
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86% | 79% | 78% | 75% | 74% |
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UV
|
1 | 1 | - | - | - |
| Time | 00:00 | 01:00 | 02:00 | 03:00 | 04:00 | 05:00 | 06:00 | 07:00 | 08:00 | 09:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 | 12:00 | 13:00 | 14:00 | 15:00 | 16:00 | 17:00 | 18:00 | 19:00 | 20:00 | 21:00 | 22:00 | 23:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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<5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | <5% | 10% | <5% | <5% | 10% | <5% | <5% | 10% | 10% | <5% |
|
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6°
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6°
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6°
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5°
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5°
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5°
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5°
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5°
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5°
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5°
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5°
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6°
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6°
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6°
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6°
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6°
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6°
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6°
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5°
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5°
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5°
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5°
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5°
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5°
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0° | 0° | 0° | 0° | -1° | -1° | -1° | -1° | -1° | -1° | 0° | 0° | 0° | 1° | 1° | 0° | 1° | 0° | 0° | 0° | 0° | 0° | 0° | 0° |
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NNW
28
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NNW
28
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NNW
29
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NNW
28
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NNW
29
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NNW
30
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NNW
29
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NNW
30
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NNW
29
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NNW
30
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NNW
28
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NNW
27
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NNW
27
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NNW
25
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NNW
25
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NNW
25
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NNW
25
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NNW
23
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NNW
22
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N
20
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N
19
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N
17
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N
16
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N
15
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34 | 34 | 35 | 35 | 36 | 38 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 36 | 34 | 34 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 19 |
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2.7 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.5 | 2.4 | 2.3 |
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9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E | E |
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Humidity
|
71% | 70% | 69% | 70% | 68% | 68% | 68% | 69% | 68% | 64% | 63% | 60% | 60% | 59% | 62% | 62% | 60% | 62% | 61% | 62% | 63% | 64% | 64% | 65% |
|
UV
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - |
| Time | 00:00 | 01:00 | 04:00 | 07:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 | 16:00 | 19:00 | 22:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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10% | <5% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 20% | 60% | 80% | 50% |
|
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5°
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4°
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4°
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5°
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6°
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6°
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7°
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7°
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7°
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0° | 0° | 2° | 2° | 3° | 3° | 4° | 4° | 4° |
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N
14
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N
12
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N
7
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WSW
6
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S
7
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S
10
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S
11
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S
13
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SSW
13
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17 | 15 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 17 |
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2.2 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
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9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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E | E | E | VG | VG | G | G | M | M |
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Humidity
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65% | 64% | 65% | 68% | 64% | 75% | 82% | 88% | 92% |
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UV
|
- | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - |
| Time | 01:00 | 04:00 | 07:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 | 16:00 | 19:00 | 22:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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50% | 20% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
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8°
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8°
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8°
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9°
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10°
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10°
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10°
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9°
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4° | 5° | 5° | 7° | 8° | 8° | 7° | 6° |
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SW
12
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SW
11
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SW
10
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SW
10
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WSW
11
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WSW
12
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WSW
11
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WSW
11
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17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 15 |
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1.2 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 |
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9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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M | G | G | G | G | G | G | G |
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Humidity
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93% | 94% | 94% | 90% | 85% | 85% | 87% | 92% |
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UV
|
- | - | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - |
| Time | 01:00 | 04:00 | 07:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 | 16:00 | 19:00 | 22:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
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10% | 20% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
|
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8°
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8°
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9°
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9°
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10°
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9°
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9°
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8°
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6° | 6° | 6° | 7° | 7° | 7° | 6° | 5° |
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WSW
11
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W
12
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W
12
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WNW
12
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NW
12
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NNW
12
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NNW
12
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NNW
11
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15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 |
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1.4 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
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9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G |
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Humidity
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94% | 95% | 95% | 90% | 87% | 87% | 89% | 91% |
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UV
|
- | - | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - |
| Time | 01:00 | 04:00 | 07:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 | 16:00 | 19:00 | 22:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
|
10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | <5% | <5% | <5% |
|
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8°
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8°
|
8°
|
8°
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9°
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9°
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8°
|
8°
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5° | 5° | 5° | 5° | 6° | 6° | 5° | 4° |
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NNW
11
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NNW
11
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NNW
11
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NNW
12
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NNW
13
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NNW
13
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NNW
14
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NNW
14
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15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 |
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0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
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9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
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Direction of waves offshore
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G | G | G | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG |
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Humidity
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89% | 88% | 87% | 80% | 76% | 76% | 80% | 85% |
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UV
|
- | - | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | - |
| Time | 01:00 | 04:00 | 07:00 | 10:00 | 13:00 | 16:00 | 19:00 | 22:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather symbols |
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Chance of precipitation
|
<5% | <5% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
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7°
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7°
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7°
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8°
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8°
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8°
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8°
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8°
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4° | 4° | 4° | 4° | 5° | 5° | 4° | 4° |
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NNW
15
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NNW
15
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NNW
15
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NNW
15
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NNW
15
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NNW
15
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NNW
15
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NNW
15
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20 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 |
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0.9 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
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9 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
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Direction of waves offshore
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– | – | – | – | – | – | – |
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G | G | VG | VG | VG | VG | VG | G |
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Humidity
|
84% | 84% | 82% | 76% | 74% | 75% | 78% | 83% |
|
UV
|
- | - | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - |
Our weather symbols tell you the weather conditions for any given hour in the day or night. This means that the symbol for 9am shows you what you will see from 9am to 10am.
Chance of precipitation represents how likely it is that rain (or other types of precipitation, such as sleet, snow, hail or drizzle) will fall from the sky at a certain time.
This number shows the air temperature for the time period. You can see the temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit by using the dropdown menu.
Feels like temperature considers other factors, such as wind speed and humidity. This gives you a better idea of how the temperature will actually feel at the time.
Wind gust shows the highest wind speed that you should encounter at that time, as winds peak and lull.
Strong winds are shown in bold for speeds of 29 mph or more.
The arrow shows the direction the wind is blowing. The letters show the direction the wind is blowing from (on a standard 16-point compass).
The number represents the average wind speed expected at that time.
The arrow shows the direction of the wind (up is north). If the arrow points from land to sea, the wind will be blowing out to sea (‘offshore’). The number is the average wind speed.
Beware of offshore winds if you are using inflatables, paddle boards or kayaks. These winds can blow you out to sea. Read more about how wind will affect you at the beach.
Visibility measures the distance at which an object can be clearly seen.
| VP (Very Poor) | Less than 1 km |
| P (Poor) | 1.1 km to 4 km |
| M (Moderate) | 4.1 km to 10 km |
| G (Good) | 10.1 km to 20 km |
| VG (Very Good) | 20.1 km to 40 km |
| E (Excellent) | Greater than 40 km |
Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. If there is a lot of water vapour, the humidity will be high. The higher the percentage of humidity, the wetter it will feel outside.
UV exposure index and the protection required to help keep you safe:
No risk of UV - It’s safe to stay outside. Low - You can safely stay outside. Consider sunscreen in direct sunlight. Moderate - Take care during midday hours and do not spend too much time in the sun unprotected. Sunscreen advised. High - Seek shade during midday hours, cover up and wear sunscreen. Very high - Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm. Shirt, sunscreen and hat are essential. Extreme - Avoid being outside during midday hours. Shirt, sunscreen and hat essential.
This is the average height of the waves, 1-2 miles out to sea. The height of the waves can vary. The individual waves out to sea or at the beach can be higher than this number. If you are close to the water, keep an eye on the waves to stop you or your belongings being swept away.
Read more about calculating the expected height of the waves at the beach.
This is the average number of seconds between one wave and the next, 1-2 miles out to sea. A long wave period (more than 10 seconds) means the waves at the beach may be more powerful. Lifeguards can give you advice on waves if you’re planning to go into the water.
Read more about the period of waves.
The arrow shows the average direction of the waves 1-2 miles out to sea. It indicates how sheltered the beach will be from these waves. If the arrow points towards land, most of the waves’ power will reach the beach. If the arrow is parallel to or pointing away from land, the wave height is likely to be lower on the beach than it is offshore.
Lifeguards can give you advice on waves if you’re planning to go into the water.
Forecast row information
Tide times
Time Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
Tide times
Tide times and heights are from Tingwall tidal station which is 10.0 miles away. So times may be different at this beach. What does this mean?
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
UK video forecast
Orkney & Shetland weather forecast
Headline:
A few showers tonight. Dry with sunny spells Friday. Breezy.
This Evening and Tonight:
The night will be mostly cloudy with a few showers across Shetland, but dry with lengthy clear spells across Orkney. The strong overnight northwest wind will strengthen to gale force over Shetland by morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
Friday:
Friday will be largely dry with sunny spells. Strong northerly winds at first, with gales across Shetland to start the day, but winds gradually easing through the day. Maximum temperature 7 °C.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
Dry but cloudy Saturday, rain and drizzle overnight into Sunday. Cloudy with patchy light rain or drizzle Sunday and Monday.
Updated:
UK long range weather forecast
This period will be dominated by high pressure to the northwest of the UK and lower pressure to the southeast over the near continent, and the extent to which of these systems dominates at any particular time. The wind will probably therefore predominantly come from a northerly or easterly direction, so temperatures at least in the east are likely to remain around or a little below average, with any warmer conditions generally further west - and with the sun quite strong, it could feel very warm at times. There should be a reasonable amount of dry weather around, especially in the north and west, but some rain or showers are likely at times, most-likely in the south and east, but amounts are expected to be modest.
Updated:
During the early part of May high pressure will probably remain close to the north or northwest UK, with the driest conditions here. Further south and east, especially at first, there is a greater chance of some showers at times. As we move further into May signals are finely balanced between drier than average and wetter than average conditions. As such fairly typical conditions are likely, with some good spells of dry weather just about anywhere, but also some more unsettled, showery interludes. Temperatures overall will probably be near normal, rising through the period, and could trend toward the warm side of average later, with warm days most likely in the west.
Updated:
